Logically, Amy Hopper doesn’t think the arrival of the new
century is going to affect her family’s food supply. But the
mother
of two young children isn’t taking any chances.

“Every time I go grocery shopping, I buy an extra bag
of sugar, an extra bag of flour, a box of powdered milk and a
gallon of water,” Hopper said. “I don’t think we’ll
actually have to have it. But we can always use it.”

University of Georgia food experts support Hopper’s logic.

Storing Extra Food is a Smart
Idea

“We aren’t telling people to go out and stock their
pantries
because of Y2K. But we are telling them it’s a smart idea to
stock
your pantry for emergencies,” said Elizabeth Andress, an
Extension Service food safety specialist with the UGA College
of Family and Consumer Sciences. “Every family should have
at least a three-day emergency food supply to fall back
on.”

Andress said having an emergency food supply cuts down on the
stress level in emergencies and natural disasters.

“Whether it’s a hurricane, tornado or snow storm, a
natural
disaster could prevent you from running to the grocery store to
pick up supplies for dinner,” Andress said.

“Having an emergency food supply on hand will provide
peace of mind for you and your family,” she said, “no
matter what disaster may come your way.”

Select the Right Foods for Emergency
Conditions

The
size of your emergency food supply depends on the size of your
family and home storage area. Stock only nonperishable foods.

“Select foods that require no refrigeration, little or
no cooking and little or no water,” Andress said.
“Chances
are, if you’re in an emergency situation, you aren’t going to
have the luxuries of electricity and running water.”

Stock your food supply with ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits
and vegetables. Remember to buy containers that can be used up
in one meal or snack, since you will most likely be unable to
refrigerate leftovers.

Add canned juices and soups and canned or powdered milk.
Include
bottled water and extra water to mix with the powdered milk and
dilute the soups.

Supply enough fluids (milk, juice, water, etc.) so each family
member is allotted at least 2 quarts of fluids per day.

Your supply should also include staple foods such as sugar,
salt and pepper and high-energy foods like peanut butter, jelly,
crackers, granola bars and trail mix.

Remember the Extras

“Don’t forget to throw in some comfort foods, too, like
cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals and instant coffee and
tea,” Andress said.

And don’t forget your vitamins. Be sure to include vitamin,
mineral and protein supplements to assure proper nutrition.

When stocking your emergency supply, keep in mind any special
needs in your family. Have you included special foods for infants
or elderly family members?

Don’t forget to include a hand-operated can opener, scissors
and knife for opening canned foods and foods in foil or plastic
pouches. The last items in your food supply should be disposable
plates, cups and utensils.

Replenish Your Supply Yearly

“Once you have your food supply together, make a list
of dates when food items need to be inspected and possibly
rotated
out. Then replace them with newly bought items,” Andress
said. “Canned foods can last two years. But for best
quality,
use them within one year.”

Powdered milk may be stored 12 to 24 months. Most of the other
foods in your emergency supply should be used or rotated out
within
one year. Over time, replace any food cans which may be rusty,
leaky, dented or bulging.

Now that your emergency food supply is intact, store it in
a cool, dry place. Store dry supplies off the floor in a clean,
dry, dark place away from any sources of moisture.

(Photo by Sharon Omahen, University of Georgia College of
Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.)